New Music to Listen to & Why by Jane Jansen Seymour - follow on Spotify @newmusicmatters

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Spiritualized "Live In Concert" via NPR Music

NPR Music has posted a recent concert of Spiritualized as an entire
listening session along with six "featured videos." The concert was
recorded last week at the Washington D.C. venue 9:30 club (named for its
original address of 930 F Street NW during the 80s, now located at 815 V Street
NW). In my book it’s a perfect mid-sized space to see a show, with a standing only
capacity of 1200. Sure it's not the same as being there, but I welcome
these fly on the wall opportunities to check out a band's performance
style. Looking at the footage, you not
only witness the nuances in the songs presented and how they vary from the
produced tracks, but also the interactions of various band members, even if it's
just on your computer screen. The audio
stream provides the entire show, over two hours of live music to indulge in
right at home or work if such things are allowed.

Here the theatrics of a psychedelic light show cut across the blackened stage with frontman Jason Pierce (a.k.a. J. Spaceman) and his back up singers
all dressed in white. Pierce’s voice is raw and gravely, as he plays guitar
while standing behind a mike stand in black sunglasses. While there may not be
much movement by those on stage, waves of emotion pour out in the music. Most of the set list are from Pierce’s latest
release, Sweet Heart Sweet Light, a
personal collection of alt rock anthems full of triumph as well as serious songs revealing doubts
about our limited time on earth. I have two tracks already picked out for my next playlist... stay tuned.